We're continuing on the Friday Introductions bandwagon, and taking time each week to introduce you to some of our amazing volunteer staff! Because our wonderful staff has grown so much, (amazing, truly.) we are doubling up each week on the introductions. This week we are highlighting more of our amazing Cafe' leaders! First, we introduce you to Erica, our Cafe' Moderator. She has served in a variety of roles over the years and continues to pour into the lives of the women who come through the doors of our Cafe'. TMC would have a giant hole without Erica...I'm not sure we could ever say enough about how wonderful she is - or how valuable to us!

In a former life, I was an organist, accompanist and piano teacher. I was briefly the co-owner of a cloth diaper business. These days I'm at home kid-wrangling full time. I also do housework very infrequently and with little enthusiasm.

2) How did you come to work with TMC?I found TMC (then known as Anticipation and Beyond Cafe') when I was pregnant in 2011 with my first child. Laurie Flower, one of the founders, taught my childbirth classes and told me about the group when it began. Once my daughter arrived, I attended Cafes regularly and pretty early on started informally helping with setup and clean up. When my daughter was 6 months old, I was asked to start taking candid pictures at Cafes, playgroups, and other events. In the summer of 2012, we rebranded as The Motherhood Collective and started our website. I officially joined the leadership team as the Blog Editor and worked with Liz Cook to create a lot of the early online information about our programs and local resources. In January of 2014, I turned over the blog to other capable hands and took on a new role as the Small Group Manager for our Cafe' Monday peer support groups. I also started splitting Cafe' Moderator duties with Lauren Barnes. In 2016, I took over the Cafe' Moderator role completely and continue managing small groups. Cafe' Mondays are my favorite!

3) How do you take your coffee?Early, often and strong – with a little cream. Sugar and "flavoring" have no place in my mug. I firmly believe that coffee should taste like coffee.

4) If you could pick any vacation in the world, what would it be and why?Someplace warm, sandy, without children and in the USA. Why? I like to read on the beach without interruption and my passport has expired.

5) What has been the hardest part about your motherhood journey?Nursing my first child was very challenging. We dealt with a number of issues, including tongue tie, a painful latch and multiple bouts of mastitis. We were able to push through and it taught me a lot about breastfeeding. And while I am a huge breastfeeding advocate, my experience left me very empathetic to those women who struggle with nursing and choose to not continue.These days, my hardest job is juggling the constantly changing needs of all the members of my family – often on very little sleep and with limited patience.

6) What has been the best part?I love being there for all the little moments – milk drunk newborns, baby coos, first words and steps, all the pretend play, budding friendships and big kid triumphs. Also, my children are still at the age where I can fix most of their problems. I know those days are numbered and I'm trying to savor my time as "Mama, Righter of All Wrongs."

Also, since becoming a mother, I have met an amazing number of smart, strong and passionate women. It's been my absolute privilege to share these early parenting years with them. I know many of them will be lifelong friends. It's such a gift.

7) Leggings as pants: yay or nay?I will happily give my opinion on many topics. Fashion is nowhere on the list.

8) Favorite TV show?Oh, so many. I'm currently binge-watching NYPD Blue. I really like Homeland, The Good Wife, Outlander and Call the Midwife. I'm bummed that Downton Abbey is over. My husband and I are currently watching Better Call Saul as a desperate attempt to relive the magic of Breaking Bad. I loved Mad Men. And I'm a total sucker for Little House on the Prairie (I have every season on DVD).

9) Favorite junk food?I would never say no to homemade tapioca pudding. Serve it with coffee and I'll be your best friend.

10) Best advice you’ve ever been given?Well, it's a little complicated, but this is something I think about a lot. I love the phrase, "comparison is the thief of joy." Remember, no one has it all figured out, no matter how it looks. Everyone's life has its share of struggles, sadness and problems. We all go through difficult seasons. I try very hard to celebrate the accomplishments of my friends, delight in their children's successes and nurture relationships. Building someone up is always worth it and it really isn't difficult to be kind. Jealousy is not productive. Sometimes it is really hard not to compare, but as a friend recently said, "do the work or be content." It's important to be at peace with where you are or recognize that you have the power to make new choices and change your life.

Next up, we have another one of our lovely Cafe' volunteers! Liz has been with TMC since its beginning and continues to serve faithfully today as a Cafe' Express team member. As an entrepreneur, birth advocate, mama of 2 and all-around 'women rock!' kind of girl, we admire and absolutely adore Liz and can not imagine this organization without her.

1) Introduce yourself!My name is Liz and I am in my early thirties. :) (At what point are we supposed to stop sharing our exact age??) I have two awesome girls, ages 4 and 14 months. They are super in love with each other and they warm my heart (almost) daily with their interactions. I am also married to a hard-working man who is away for long hours during the day. I also run my own photography business here in Lynchburg, VA, and it's one of the things that keeps me sane by giving me lots of excuses to avoid doing the laundry, dishes, and other household chores. :)

2) How did you come to work with TMC? I discovered The Motherhood Collective when it was in it's early beginnings and under a different name. After only attending a few Cafe' events, I knew I wanted to be involved. My heart for motherhood and supporting moms grew as my first year of motherhood unfolded before me. I recognized the support necessary to not feel completely alone and lost, and I wanted to give that support to other women as often as I could.

3) How do you take your coffee? Coffee? I take cream and sugar with a splash of coffee, if we're being honest. ;)

4) If you could pick any vacation in the world, what would it be and why?I would retreat to a cottage in the woods with windows wide open, soft, flowy curtains and not a care in the world. (That includes no bug spray required!) I'd probably spend my vacation flirting with my husband and brainstorming business ideas. Both are truly my favorite things to do. :) Oh... but a vacation isn't a vacation without a long massage, amiright?!

5) What has been the hardest part about your motherhood journey?Learning a new practice all over again. Becoming a mother is like being the new kid in school – you've entered a new world of which you know nothing about, and the best gift in this new world is having someone to take your hand and show you the way around. I had a hard time recognizing that a new baby really did mean less time for myself, and it took me a long time to fully surrender to motherhood. Once I did, though, things became a lot more enjoyable for my whole family. :)

6) What has been the best part?The deep friendships I have been able to make with other mothers. While they would never replace lifelong friendships I had before motherhood, the women I have been able to connect with add a whole new layer of enjoyment to my life. And hopefully this goes without saying, but experiencing the heartfelt joy of watching your baby grow into themselves, seeing bits of personality develop and listening to each and every baby giggle... those are, by far, the best moments of motherhood.

7) Leggings as pants: yay or nay?Um. Yah.

8) Favorite TV show?I really miss my Parenthood friends... it's like they just abandoned me for better lives or something. Good thing I have a new season of Big Brother drama to distract me every summer. ;)

10) Best advice you’ve ever been given?Why be afraid of the truth? It is what gives you an opportunity to be a better person. So many people are afraid to be honest, but honesty shared with love is what makes this world a better place.